military truck build

[tc1cat]

This build started because I wanted some type of 2 1/2 ton truck instead of the normal semis from Tamiya. I figured that a F350 tranny should make an easy conversion for a 6X6. The front axle is from a TLT with the 4 link suspension from TLT parts. This idea and design is from Willy Loewer. He has at least 2 of these trucks listed on his website www.customrcmodels.com. He has some very good pics for you to look at of the front suspension. The tires are Fulda Crossforce tires. They are direct replacements for the Tamiya semi tires. I got mine from Germany but you should be able to get them from www.gardentrucking.com. Ric might be out of them right now but he can get them. Place in Germany is www.der-getriebedoktor.de. They have lots of items for the semis and other scale trucks.
I am going to try and make a US6 or "Studer". I will let you look up exactly what this was.:first:
Originally I was going to put the tranny inside the Globe Liner frame but I quickly found out that I would have very little ground clearance. Custom tranny mounts were made with Traxxas drive shafts being used for the drive train. I wanted metal drive shaft but again not enough room for what I have to use. I also had to modify the front tranny plate to allow for the front drive shaft. Not sure if I am going to lock the tranny in 1st gear or put a servo for shifting in it. Most dueces were slow with lots of power.
I will add more pics to the thread as I take them.

[trailqeen]

this is going to be saaweat :first:

[Pete359]

Sweet!
Looking forward to more pictures! :first:

[tc1cat]

Fianlly got the drive shaft parts in. Decided to use the smaller Traxxas drive shafts with the metal yokes. These drive shafts are harder to put together than the larger ones until I tried something. Find a shaft that the metal yokes will fit. Put the yokes on the shaft until you fix the gimball solid and tighten the set screws. With the gimball locked in place it is very easy to now snap the drive shaft in place. This saved me a lot of cussing and swearing and no more screwdriver stabbings. I also got the steering servo installed and linkages made. Waiting on a book before I finalize what version to make of the Studer. My first choice is one of the "Stalin Organ" versions. Forgot to mention that I finally got the tranny mounted to the frame.

[Pete359]

Where did you get that front aksle?
And what does it cost?
I can't use the aksle from a tlt, couse it's to wide :(

[tc1cat]

It is a TLT axle!! I made adapters to use the front wheels from the semi.

[Pete359]

Okay! Thanks!
Did you make those alu parts yourself or did you buy them?
Want to make a 6x6 myself soon :first:

[tc1cat]

Aluminum parts on the axle came from ebay seller. Had them for awhile so I don't remember who was selling them. Adapters for using the semi front wheels are just the TLT hex adapters turned to fit in the wheels and then glued in. Made some brass washers to fit on the outside of the wheel to allow the axle nut to hold the wheel and tire on.

TLT axles are wider than the semi front axle but you just have to make your body to match what you can get cheap or buy some front axle conversion kits from Germany. I could not see paying for the conversion kits when I got a complete TLT for $80.

[backtomyroots]

This is developing very nicely. Great work.

[tc1cat]

Build is not DOA! Just waiting on a little warmer weather- basement is only partially heated and for some much needed parts to arrive. Cab is currently being worked on. Lots of styrene and bondo right now!! Hopefully, I may have a few new pics by the weekend.

[Pete359]

Looking forward to new pics.

[tc1cat]

Made a major change this week. Changed the front axle to an F350 axle. Looks much better than the 4-link. Also planning to extend the frame by about 2 inches to make the truck closer to scale. Thought the Globe Liner frame was close but found out that it is way too short. Pics in a few.

[Pete359]

How do you get room for the HL axle under the servos?
I've tryed to use HL axle in front of one of my King Hauler too, but there's not room for it. :(

Please add more photos of how you did it.
Thanks!

[tc1cat]

Update pic! You have to move the steering servo to the opposite side and also move the shifting servo to the rear of the tranny if you are going to shift gears. I am still contemplating locking mine in 1st gear. Body work is very slow for me. Just about have the cab 1/2 done now.

[Pete359]

Thanks for the pict.
It's alott easyer to understand a pict. :LOL:

[tc1cat]

Slowly getting things done! Body about 1/2 done. Still not happy with the front axle placement. May make yet another change. Topcad front wheels look more like military rims. Plus making wheel centers for the rear wheels. How close do you think the body is? Need some feedback please!

[tc1cat]

Well, truck has taken a twist! Frame has been extended 2" plus the front axle was moved forward about 1/2". Now the axle and cab look correct. Pics later this week after some of the paint dries.

[tc1cat]

Added some paint to the frame and cab!

[BLAZER]

Nice work so far AND you can really tell the front axle has been moved forward. The cab is starting to look Russian by the way, all it needs now are some red stars! :Tamiya1:

More pics please!

[tc1cat]

Been busy the past few days!

[Pete359]

Busy doing some great detailing! :first:
Love it!

[tc1cat]

Build may have died yesterday. Needed to strip some of the paint off of the cab to continue making parts for it. Supposedly plastic safe paint stripper almost destroyed the cab. It even attacked the original body I started with. Not sure if I am going to continue the build now. :bump: Will know more after I get some more styrene and try to save what is left.

[Pete359]

Too bad that happend.
Hope you continue the build thou.

[tc1cat]

After much contemplation. I decided to see what I could salvage. Pic as to what it looks like now. Hood not as smooth as before but it now has a hood line which like better. Looks like a Stude now! Still needs lots of details before I say it is done. Rocket rack will be a long build.

[mustang46555]

Hang in there TC! You can get the damage repaired and it'll be better than before, don't shelve the project.

[mustang46555]

Talk about posting at the same time! Good recovery, the fenders are really starting to make it look "right."

[tc1cat]

Had to take a break. Spent about 3 hours repairing the damage and making the fenders. Not looking forward to the rear fenders. They are huge and flat!

[tc1cat]

Had to delete some of the earlier pics so I could add more pics to future posts.:sorry: Made a little progress today! Added the lip to the front fenders. Hope the rear ones are easier than these were!! Starting to get anxious about finishing it now! Still need to figure out where to hide the battery and other electronics. Rest of the truck is basically open frame???????

[BLAZER]

Would it have towed a munitions trailer behind it? Just a thought! :LOL:

[tc1cat]

Still trying to finish the cab. Added windshield. rear window-which you won't see!- and the armor shielding over the cab. Side windows made but not installed. Headlights being finished a long with the remaining cab runnings boards on the passenger side.

[tc1cat]

Still plugging away on the Stude! Working on the gas tank and battery box. Had to get creative hiding the actual battery. Awaiting brass for rear fenders and some very small tubing for some hinges on the battery box.:sorry: Sorry for no pictures but my picture space is limited. May start on the rocket rack this weekend if I get the rear fenders done.

[tc1cat]

Hi everyone,
Finally got the fenders and side steps done. Trying to decide on which rocket rack to build. Either 12 or 16 rockets. 12 rocket rack is much more complicated but looks nicer than the 16 does. I will add a pic this weekend or maybe even today. I knew that this build would challenge me to the max but I think it has even taken me past my point of knowledge and into completely new territory. I really think that I took on more than I should have for a first time scratchbuilding project. I can't say that it has been a fun build so far but it has been a challenge.

Lynn

[Screamin' D]

Looking good man keep up the good work it's amazing how dramatic it can be when solvents seemingly want too bugger up a project. Good ting you got skills too make it work. can't wait too see the finished product.



Dallas

[Bullitt]

Any progress?

Harry

[chafey]

Fianlly got the drive shaft parts in. Decided to use the smaller Traxxas drive shafts with the metal yokes. These drive shafts are harder to put together than the larger ones until I tried something. Find a shaft that the metal yokes will fit. Put the yokes on the shaft until you fix the gimball solid and tighten the set screws. With the gimball locked in place it is very easy to now snap the drive shaft in place. This saved me a lot of cussing and swearing and no more screwdriver stabbings. I also got the steering servo installed and linkages made. Waiting on a book before I finalize what version to make of the Studer. My first choice is one of the "Stalin Organ" versions. Forgot to mention that I finally got the tranny mounted to the frame.

if you dip the yokes in boiling water for 10 seconds they snap together very easily